Our beautiful water was back this reporting period although it is still hot. As you can see in the daily report, it ranged from 83.8 to 88.5 during the week. I had to depend on my fellow anglers to feed me information and pictures as I only got to the pier once for a short visit. Thanks to all that submitted pictures! Also, THANKS to everyone who sent texts, messages and emails – I appreciate the positive vibes as well. I am healing well for a 71-year-old and am supposed to begin therapy in about three weeks. I’m looking forward to re-joining you on the rail.
Species caught: Sailfish, King Mackerel, Spanish Mackerel, Bonita, Tarpon, Hardtails, Cigar minnows and Threadfin Herring.
Friday afternoon, a very excited Bandon called me. He had just caught his fish of a lifetime. He had caught his first ever Sailfish and the first one of the year for the pier. We have not seen as many near the pier this year so this was a big deal. Check the pictures of the happy angler here:
Friday and Saturday would be the best days for action on the pier. King Mackerel, Tarpon, Bonita and Brandon’s Sailfish were on the deck. Hachid, Jeffery and Allen decked King Mackerel. Anglers would put many Bonita in their coolers. The Bonita ranged from 7 to 8 pounds. The remainder of the period brought more Bonita. Vohn, McRae, Grady, Quang and others would put Bonita on the deck. Quang would only get the head of his as “the tax man, Flipper” had other plans.
The Tarpon bite has been disappointing so far. Huge numbers of fish have passed our pier but have had lock-jaw. However, Stump got lucky Saturday when he laid into a nice fish. Check the bow in his rod:
Daily activity:
Thursday: water temp 84.0 – 85.5- Hardtails.
Friday: water temp 83.8 -86.4 Brandon caught a legal Sailfish. Hachid and Jeffrey got a King.
Saturday: water temp 83.8 Stump got a Tarpon in am, Allen got a King, Bonita, Hardtails, Cigar minnows.
Sunday: water temp 84.6 – 88.5 A couple of Spanish Mackerel and lots of bait.
Monday: water temp 85.3 – 87.6 Hardtails, Cigar minnows.
Tuesday: water temp.85.6 – 87.3 Fifteen Bonita 6-8 pounds, Cigar minnows and Threadfin Herring in the early am.
Wednesday: water temp 85.8 – 87.1 Bonita and Cigar minnows.
Red Tide status: The red tide organism, Karenia brevis, was not observed in samples collected from or offshore of Escambia, Okaloosa, Walton, Bay, Gulf, Franklin, Dixie, Levy, Hernando, or Pasco counties. No samples from Santa Rosa, Wakulla, Jefferson, Taylor, or Citrus counties were analyzed this week.
Tides Link
https://tides4fishing.com/us/florida-west-coast/panama-cityngin g
Full Moon Sunday July 21, 2024 - New Moon Sunday Aug. 04, 2024
Tides for the upcoming week:
Sunrise: 5:53 Sunset: 7:43pm
Thursday 18th. 7:04pm Low -0.2 7:25am High 1.8
Friday 7:49pm Low -0.3 8:24am High 1.9
Saturday 8:33pm Low -0.4 9:22am High 2.0
Sunday 9:12pm Low -0.4 10:15am High 2.0
Monday 9:46pm Low -0.2 11:15am High 2.0
Tuesday 10:09pm Low 0.1 1:20pm High 1.8
Wednesday 24th... 10:10pm Low 0.3 1:02pm High 1.6
Sunrise: 5:57am Sunset: 7:40pm CDST
The Marine forecast for the next several days is:
TODAY
Southwest winds 5 to 10 knots. Waves 1 foot or less. Wave Detail: South 1 foot at 3 seconds. Protected waters a light chop. Showers and thunderstorms likely this morning, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms early this afternoon. A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms late.
TONIGHT
Southwest winds 5 to 10 knots. Waves 1 foot or less. Wave Detail: South 1 foot at 4 seconds and south 1 foot at 7 seconds. Protected waters a light chop. A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms in the evening, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after midnight.
FRIDAY
South winds 5 to 10 knots. Waves 1 foot or less, then around 2 feet in the afternoon. Wave Detail: South 1 foot at 3 seconds and south 1 foot at 7 seconds. Protected waters a light chop. Showers and thunderstorms likely.
FRIDAY NIGHT
South winds 5 to 10 knots. Seas around 2 feet. Wave Detail: South 1 foot at 3 seconds. Protected waters a light chop. A chance of showers and thunderstorms in the evening, then showers and thunderstorms likely after midnight.
SATURDAY
South winds 5 to 10 knots. Seas around 2 feet. Wave Detail: South 1 foot at 3 seconds. Protected waters a light chop. Showers and thunderstorms.
SATURDAY NIGHT
South winds 5 to 10 knots. Seas around 2 feet in the evening, then 1 foot or less. Wave Detail: South 1 foot at 4 seconds. Protected waters a light chop. Showers and thunderstorms likely.
SUNDAY
South winds around 5 knots. Waves 1 foot or less. Protected waters smooth. Showers and thunderstorms.
SUNDAY NIGHT
South winds around 5 knots. Waves 1 foot or less. Protected waters smooth. Showers and thunderstorms likely.
MONDAY
Southeast winds around 5 knots. Seas around 2 feet. Protected waters smooth. Showers and thunderstorms likely.
MONDAY NIGHT
South winds 5 to 10 knots. Seas around 2 feet. Protected waters a light chop. A chance of showers and thunderstorms in the evening, then showers and thunderstorms likely after midnight.
(local forecast).
THURSDAY (87/79 rain 54% wind SW-10)
FRIDAY (86/79 rain 55% wind SSW-11)
SATURDAY (85/79 rain 70% wind S-09)
SUNDAY (85/80 rain 59% wind SSW-09)
MONDAY (87/79 rain 47% wind S-08)
TUESDAY (87/79 rain 51% wind SSE-10)
WEDNESDAY(85/79 rain 73% wind S-10)
PIER MANAGEMENT CONTACT INFORMATION:
Bay County Parks and Recreation – 5304 Majetti Tower Road Panama City, FL 32404
850-248-8730
Vince Martin – Bay Co. Parks Division Manager - vmartin@baycountyfl.gov - 850-896-6580
Tight lines and screaming drags,
Sam
